Medicine Retreats

Healing the Four SeparationsWe will focus on the teachings of the four separations from the Siksika/Blackfeet medicine wheel: the separation of self and other; the separation of mind and body; the separation of life and death, and the shadow and persona. When we can shed light on these fundamental separations that we all inevitably experience, we can begin the healing path to rediscovering our wholeness.

This retreat will give attention to a teaching referred to as the “Four Separations.” As is often the case in “Wisdom Traditions” of the world, sometimes referred to as the Perennial Tradition, the Four Separations occur in different ways in many different cultures and spiritual orientations. I will use the Medicine Wheel “lens” to look at how the Four Separations unfold in our lives as human beings and will also draw on some of the teachings of the Perennial Tradition. The Four Separations often begin to occur between the ages of 4-6 years old, and can continue to solidify throughout the aging process. While not linear in their progression, they are understood to occur in this manner; Separation of self from other, Separation of life and death, Separation of mind from body, Separation of shadow from self-image. We will explore these and the reuniting of them through teachings, practices, and sacred ceremony.

As one of the means to embody these teachings, we will share in an ancient Andean heart ceremony, which has been utilized for millennia for healing; to bring about balance for body, mind, heart and spirit, as well as inviting an experiential sense of our interconnection with all our relations. In this way, we can begin the journey of healing the four separations, through which we discover our essential unity.

The retreat will be facilitated by Duncan Grady and Jen Davis and supported by Judith Hoilett and Misha Gitberg.

Dr. Duncan Grady’s professional experience includes over 20 years of post secondary education and 34 years of counselling and psychotherapy. He was raised in the Siksika/Sauk Blackfeet tradition. He has taught spiritual and clinical practices throughout North America and Europe. He is a retired post secondary educator and currently works as a psychotherapist and hospice trainer in British Columbia using western and non-western approaches to health, well-being, dying and death.

Jen Davis spent 14 years in India studying meditation, non-dual wisdom and singing. Returning to Canada in 1999, she began learning from three indigenous teachers in Peru and Mexico about the ancient practices, plant preparations and healing ways of working respectfully with sacred plants. The inspiration to work with others came from having received so much personal benefit from her own healing experiences.

Judith Hoilett MEd has been offering trauma, addictions and relationship counselling for the past 30 years always from the perspective of integrating body, mind, spirit and culture into healing and personal growth. The incorporation of ceremony into her work has been both personally and professionally enriching.

Misha Gitberg is a psychotherapist in private practice in Victoria, who is a grateful and fascinated learner of sacred ceremonies, plant medicines, ecstatic movement, the tango dance of marital intimacy and parenting two beautiful rambunctious boys.

Sacred Mountain Salt Spring offers a serene rural environment for retreats. The 35 acre property includes a lavender farm, horse pastures and forested trails. There is a large main house and several outbuildings including a 28 ft diameter yurt.

Schedule

We will gather at noon on Friday, August 28, with an opening circle, introductions, medicine wheel teachings and preparation for next day's Heart Medicine ceremony, and dinner.

Sunday will be an experiential journey of healing the four separations in the context of the Heart Medicine ceremony, followed by supper.

Sunday will be an integration of our experiences and a closing circle.

The retreat will end by noon on the 30th of August.

Accommodations

Limited accommodation ranging from private to shared rooms in the main house and in the stand alone cabins will be available. It will be possible to camp in tents in the orchard garden and in the Yurt over night providing you bring your own camping gear. The rates vary from $10 per person in the Yurt or in tent, to $60 per person in the main house rooms.